The
Utah Department of Health (UDOH) will host the first Medicaid Expansion Options
Community Workgroup meeting to explore options related to the potential
expansion of the state’s Medicaid program under the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The workgroup
will be charged with collecting input from the community, identifying and
analyzing factors beyond financial considerations, and considering alternatives
to full expansion or the status quo. The
workgroup will ultimately provide Gov. Gary R. Herbert with a report detailing
a full range of options along with key advantages and disadvantages of each
option.
Why: Under the ACA, states have the option of
expanding their Medicaid programs to all adults who earn up to 138 percent of
the federal poverty level. If the state
decides to expand, the federal government would cover 100 percent of the costs
for the first three years. After that,
states would be required to pay a portion of the related costs. The state would also incur additional
administrative costs associated with any potential expansion.
Who: The workgroup is comprised of business,
community and government leaders, legislators, advocates for low-income
individuals and families, and other stakeholders from the health care industry.
When: Tuesday,
April 23, 2013
1:30 p.m.
Where: Utah State Capitol - Capitol Boardroom
(East end of Rotunda)
# # #
Media Contact:
Tom Hudachko
(o) 801-538-6232
(m) 801-560-4649
